Porterville police have arrested six people for illegal gambling and fraud

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (FOX26) — Six people have been arrested following a police investigation into illegal gambling and fraud in Porterville, authorities said.

The Porterville Police Department responded to a report of a suspect attempting to make fraudulent purchases Friday using a stolen credit card at a business in the 1300 block of West Henderson Avenue.

The suspect had already left the scene before police arrived, but his vehicle was identified.

(RELATED)Fentanyl and other drugs were seized during the arrest of a wanted felon in Coalinga

Hours later, police found the vehicle in a vacant lot in the 100 block of West Orange Avenue.

Officers arrested Mark Keonin, 42, Sandra Gonzalez, 36, Katie Saefong, 42, David Carr, 35, Ernie Hernandez, 57, and Kham Hamsuk, 50. .

Police identified Keonin as the person involved in the previous fraudulent activity and were found to have numerous forged checks and stolen credit cards in his possession.

Law enforcement officers also found evidence of illegal gambling business activities.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the business and during the search discovered illegal slot machines, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and additional evidence of illegal gambling.

They also searched Keonin’s residence on North F Street, where they found hundreds of pieces of evidence, including stolen and altered checks, stolen bank cards, stolen mail, counterfeit Social Security cards and equipment to make counterfeit documents.

Keonin was booked into the South Tulare County Jail on $102,500 bond.

Gonzalez’s bail was set at $125,000 and Saefong’s bail was set at $60,000.

Carr, Hernandez and Hamsuk were also booked into the facility.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the investigation to contact the Porterville Police Department at (559) 782-7400.

Information can also be provided anonymously.